Hello from Sydney! I’m excited to share some of my adventures with you here on the blog. I landed in Sydney last Wednesday after sixteen hours of travel and immediately made my way three hours west to the Blue Mountains for a workshop with Luisa Brimble and Marta Greber. Despite the jetlag and fatigue, which made me feel a bit nauseous and dizzy, I was thrilled to be out in the country on Sophie’s beautiful farm. The workshop was full of magical moments, picnics in the olive grove and the paddock, long table meals, laughter,  creativity and learning. Luisa is so spirited and positive and her passion and enthusiasm for photography is totally contagious. And Marta is just the sweetest. She’s humble and poised and so willing to share her knowledge and expertise. I feel like I really got the chance to hone in on my technical camera skills, deepen my understanding of how to manipulate natural light, and  experiment with new ways of styling. I returned to Sydney Friday night and met up with Anders for a romantic dinner and a short visit. He’s now off in the middle of nowhere immersed in the study of architecture. My mom flew in Saturday and we’ve been busy  exploring Sydney’s beaches, neighborhoods and cafes all week.  I’ve put together a list of my favorites below. For now, I hope you enjoy these photos from the workshop.

SYDNEY GUIDE

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Three Blue Ducks

A hip, casual restaurant that becomes a community fixture and gathering place for weekend brunch.

Iggy’s Bread

Next door to Three Blue Ducks. Their bread is served throughout the city. Anders stumbled in as they were closing and got an impromptu tour  and a bag of bread to take home. They also sell some produce and local, artisan dairy, honey and preserves.

Ruby’s Diner

A bright, bustling spot for coffee and a healthy breakfast. They make a mean avocado toast.

Brown Sugar

One of my favorite meals in Sydney was at this intimate restaurant. The flavors are unique and the presentation was amazing. We had a really delicious dish of fish with lentils, tzatziki and the smokiest grilled romaine. The side of green beans with pine nuts was out of this world. I’m pretty sure there were vanilla bean seeds in there.

The Grounds of Alexandria

We made the mistake of going on a Sunday but still managed to grab a coffee and sit out in the garden despite the crowds. It’s worth taking the time to stroll around. They have an animal farm as well as a garden, kids art shed, event space, three restaurants, florist and several carts selling donuts, pastries and candy. The whole place is vibrant with plants, crawling vines and hanging baskets.

Coogee Pavilion

Set right on the beach, Coogee Pavilion has a charming nautical style and fantastic seafood and salads. They also have a bar, wood fired pizza oven, ice cream stand, coffee shop, and rooftop restaurant. Totally charming and so delicious.

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Surry Hills

Great shopping and walking neighborhood.

Bondi to Coogee Walk

Super scenic walk along the cliffs overlooking the water. It was a bit crowded, but so picturesque.

Royal Botanic Gardens

We spent most of the day exploring these amazing botanic gardens. Everything is meticulously cared for and the variety is stunning. We especially enjoyed the herb garden, fernery, and succulent garden.

Art Gallery of New South Wales

A great collection that showcases the history and variety of Australian art. We particularly loved seeing the aboriginal art on display and the landscape paintings depicting the natural wonders of Tasmania and New Zealand.